The Dakota Women’s Correctional Rehab Center opened its doors in Nov. 2013. It celebrated its 10 year anniversary last fall, however, coming up is another 10 year mark that not many people realize.

On Aug. 11 and 12 of 2004, for the first time higher custody female inmates were transferred to the facility. Between those two days 31 more inmates, were transferred to New England.

When the prison first opened in 2003 the project was subject to a lot of controversy around the area.

Though it was met with some adversity, the facility has given back to the community in more ways than one.

Currently the prison employs 57 full time staff members, and has 11 people that work there part time.

The prison also allows their inmates, who qualify, to participate in various community service activities around the community. Along with cleaning up the park weekly, they also participate in the annual ‘City Cleanup.’ In the past they’ve also done some in-house projects for the Salvation Army.

Since its inceptions they’ve expanded the facility to include five high security cells, and expanded the control room of the prison.

At this point there have only been some discussions on possible future expansion projects, but nothing concrete is in the works.